Performatura 2017 Organizers Hold Successful Press Conference

March 8, 2017; The Cultural Center of the Philippines led by its Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado and Performatura Festival Director Vim Nadera, Jr., held a press conference during lunch in the Amethyst Room of the Diamond Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Manila to drum up public attention three weeks prior to the event. Ms. Irene Rada, CCP Corporate Communications Divisions Chief, served as the emcee for the hour.

After Mr. Millado welcomed the press, Mr. Vim Nadera briefly outlined the history of the festival from its inception as a purely poetry performance event to the more robust and diverse arts fiesta it is today. Afterwards, the CCP Intertextual Division team also gave a preview of the Akdang Buhay video series by showing the episode featuring National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo. The rules for Franciscosplay, the costume play contest which will challenge cosplayers to play as characters from Florante at Laura, were also explained. Aside from the cosplay contest, the organizers also launched the Florante at Laura Online Exhibit. The woodblock prints amazed the press who found out that the art pieces in the exhibit can no longer be reproduced since the original woodblocks were already destroyed.

In order to give the media of what is to come, some artists for the Performatura 2017 came and gave a brief glimpse of their acts. Posh Develos of Pinoy Storytellers, Inc. read Bruhahaha Bruhihihi written by Corazon Remigio. Ms. Develos herself will appear on April 1from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Silangan Hall for the Storytelling sessions for children. Berna Manipon, who will present with other members of the Theater in Alternative Platforms the Ampalaya Monologues on April 1 in the Tanghalang Huseng Batute at 6:00 p.m., delivered her monologue about being in an abusive relationship. Sanghabi, a cultural group who will be performing on April 1 at 9:00 a.m. at the CCP Promenade gave a musical performance using indigenous instruments.

The press conference concluded with an open forum, one on one interviews between the press and the staff, and artists of the Performatura 2017, and photo opportunities.